TNT Sports
MotoGP: Why Marc Marquez could struggle against brother Alex at Grand Prix Catalunya - 'He can't use his special power'
By
Updated 06/09/2025 at 15:49 GMT+1
React to this story
TNT Sports MotoGP expert Neil Hodgson believes that the track design at Grand Prix Catalunya could give BK8 Gresini rider Alex Marquez a rare advantage over his older brother and Ducati Lenovo rival, Marc Marquez. With an absence of demanding left-hand turns, Hodgson believes that Alex can use his expertise on the track to make the most of the opportunity this weekend.
'Thank goodness for the catch fence' - Bastianini unhurt after Grand Prix Catalunya crash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Hodgson believes Alex Marquez has the advantage at Grand Prix Catalunya this weekend as championship leader Marc Marquez cannot use "his special power" on the track.
In the early exchanges on track, BK8 Gresini rider Alex - Marc’s younger brother and his closest rival in the title race - has looked in good form.
Alex could be seen as the main rival to his brother in Spain - though Hodgson has also tipped Aprilia bikes to shine in his TNT Sports column on Friday.
Should the scores go in Marc’s favour this weekend, then he could potentially be crowned world champion for a seventh time at the next round in Misano, shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Marc’s form means that the title is his to lose, and he has plenty of room in order to collect the necessary points to get him over the line as the end of the season draws closer.
Speaking to TNT Sports on Saturday morning, Hodgson reflected on how the two brothers were out in front ahead of another chasing pack.
He said of Alex being faster: "Yes, race pace, absolutely. Not by much, and it's Marc that's second. But then you have four or five other riders who are really close."
Hodgson explained why Alex is able to get closer to his brother this weekend, while he has largely failed to match his pace for the rest of the season. He noted that the style of the curves appeared tailor-made for the younger Spaniard.
"When we did the pre-season test here, Alex was faster than everyone," he began. "It's like this track was designed for him. It's these fast right-hand corners that feel like they were designed for him."
The older Marquez brother is known for his advantage in how quickly he is able to take left-handed corners, and at Catalunya, there are not enough of them, and they are not challenging enough, for him to use his traditional expertise.
Hodgson added: "Looking at data, Marc said he's losing quite a bit of time to Alex in those parts of the track.
"Normally, we know Marc is good on left-hand corners, and there are not many left-hand corners on this track. And the ones there are, are basic hairpins.
"So he can't use his special power here, and it drags the rest of the field closer to him."
- ‘If you can't brake in the lean, you're f*****’ - Bagnaia hopeful ahead of Grand Prix Catalunya
- Superbike legend Jonathan Rea announces retirement
Marc currently has 455 points after 10 MotoGP wins this term, as well as his Sprint race triumphs. Alex is 175 points further back with a single win to his name.
Marc's struggling team-mate, Francesco Bagnaia, is on 228 points, and he also has just one GP win to his name this year.
Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement